IAI, Hanwha Systems partner on naval combat technologies

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and South Korea's Hanwha Systems have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to commercialise naval combat suites globally, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific market.

A spokesperson for Hanwha Systems told Janes on 15 February that the company will be responsible for supplying and integrating the combat management systems while IAI will provide the required weapons and sensors.

The spokesperson added that the two companies expect to strengthen their “marketing power by increasing market accessibility and [developing] competitive technological solution through a non-competitive strategic partnership”.

IAI's media release on 14 February said that the two companies will establish a “steering committee to direct and monitor the progress of [their] collaboration”.

The Hanwha Systems spokesperson emphasised naval combat suites as key in protecting territorial sea waters as they enable “real-time sharing of battlefield information and simultaneous engagement through network-centric and centralised control”.

The spokesperson added that combat systems are also becoming vital to gain tactical advantage given the increasing use of artificial intelligence, cyber security, information and communications technology, and internet of things in modern warfare.

The spokesperson also said that Hanwha Systems and IAI plan to initiate “specific and practical co-operative marketing as early as possible” as the global market gradually recovers from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The spokesperson attributed the partnership's focus on the Asia-Pacific to the region's market importance as it will account for “50% of the world's new warships over the next 20 years”.

When contacted by Janes on 14 February, IAI said it is unable to provide further details about the agreement.